Paradise Lake: A Love Story
Chapter Ten: The Visitor
Velma
By two o'clock Velma was ready to pull her hair out by the roots. One by one. Slowly. She had talked to everyone that she'd met at lunch, trying to match a voice with the one with the message; no matches and no one she'd met matched Daphne's description of Ashley Saunders. It was two thirty when Daphne, Shaggy and Fred arrived; Velma closed the door and turned on the TV to mask their brainstorming session.
"Daphne, I know she's here! She has to be; it's logical. I'd like you to be here at seven tonight, someone will be here with a message from Ashley."
"I'll be here, Velma." Daphne looked at each of her friends, "guys, I think after what happened to the rental, Velma needs to come home...Velma, if they know about us, you're not safe here any longer."
"What happened to the car, Daphne?" An anxious Velma asked.
"First. Let me tell all of you what Shaggy and I found at the library. Up till a few years ago, Paradise Lake was your typical mountain resort crime wise. Then the thefts increased, especially expensive jewelry."
"There does seem to be a pattern," interjected Shaggy. "Whenever there is a big social gathering, a theft occurs."
"When we left the library," Daphne continued, "we found the Mustang had been vandalized, all the glass except the windshield had been broken out. A message had been left, show them the message, Shaggy.
"If that message is to believed, and I do believe it, none of us should be left alone. Velma, I want you to come home with us."
"And there is the Valentine Day dance coming up," Shaggy reminded them as he handed the message around the group.
"Velma, Daphne is right," Fred spoke up, "you're here by doctor's suggestion not doctor's orders. And if Shag's correct about the pattern, their next target will be the dance."
"I was tired of resting anyway," Velma agreed.
-Xxxxxx
Fred and Shaggy had left after a round of hugs for the girls. Daphne had remained for the meeting later that evening. Daphne spent some time going into more detail on what she and shaggy had discovered at the library. Eventually the conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence as they waited.
It was seven when a soft tapping announced the arrival of their expected guest. Velma opened the door to admit a middle aged woman dressed in a print dress with an oversized white sweater. "Daphne Blake?" The gray haired woman nodded at Daphne.
"Yes, I'm Daphne Blake." Daphne acknowledged and returned the nod.
"I'm Mrs. Wren. Ashley asked if I would give this to you." The woman said in a nasally voice while rummaging in a large purse that hung from her shoulder. "Now, where did I put it?" she muttered and withdrew a small bottle and handed it to the red head.
"What am I to do with a container of cinnamon?" Daphne wondered more to herself than any one in the room. "Is that all...from Ashley?"
"She is anxious to speak with you and your friends. There is great danger and she needs to be very careful. She was reluctant to come tonight, she doesn't want you in danger because of her."
"We'll all be at my parents estate later tonight. Could you get a message to Ashley to meet us there? We are eager to know what happened to her."
"I can try," the senior woman turned to leave, "If she does agree to meet you, it could be very late."
"She'll be welcome at any time," Velma opened the door and the woman smiled as she melted into the darkness of the hall.
"Cinnamon! What's next?" Daphne turned the bottle over and over in her hands.
"Look at what gifts have been given to you, Daph. A bouquet of Iris, heart shaped marshmallows, and now cinnamon. Sounds romantic."
"Romantic? For who? And from who?"
"Obviously for you and Fred, but I haven't a clue as to who is sending them. Let's get out of here, the guys are waiting in the parking lot for us." Velma smirked.
-Xxxxxx
Later that night at the Blake Estate
"Ashley may be dropping by later, mom." Daphne announced after dinner and everyone had gathered in the living room.
"That's wonderful news, dear. So you've found her then?" Elizabeth Blake asked.
"Not exactly," Fred offered, "but we're hopeful." Then Fred changed subjects, turning his attention to George Blake, "we think Ashley's disappearance is tied somehow with the jewel thefts. With your permission we'd like to use the Blake Valentine necklace as bait."
"That is very expensive bait. I had a duplicate made that looks almost the same."
"I'm not wearing a necklace and Scooby and I will not be live bait this time. You don't have enough Scooby Snacks to make us! Right Scoob?" A defiant Shaggy crossed his arms and shook his head in the negative.
"Right Raggy!" Scooby concurred.
"No, guys, not this time," Fred laughed softly, "I think Daphne would look stunning in a black dress to show off the necklace."
The time dragged by but no one was interested in retiring to their bedrooms; their wait was rewarded by a knock at the door at ten thirty. Maxwell, the Blake butler, opened the door.
"May I help you?"
"My name is Mrs. Wren. Miss Daphne Blake is expecting me."
"This way, madam."
They had heard the exchange and now the Blakes and the gang rose as Maxwell led their guest into the room. "Mrs. Wren," Maxwell announced then departed at the dismissal from Elizabeth Blake.
"Didn't Ashley come with you?" Daphne stepped forward reaching her hand out to welcome her guest.
The woman smiled, "You don't recognize me?"
Daphne smiled. "Welcome back, Ashley. I wouldn't be much of a detective if I didn't see through your disguise. But why would you need a disguise and disappear as you did?"
"What gave me away?" Ashley reached up to remove her hat and wig. "Do you have a pair of shoes I might borrow? These elevator shoes are killing me."
"Your disguise was near perfect but the next time, wear gloves. Those hands are not the hands of an older woman."
"At least that old biddy, Mrs. Williams, didn't get a look at my hands. I was fearful she'd give me away."
"You were the one she saw a few days ago!" Velma exclaimed as the light dawned.
"Yes. Paul, Officer Goodwin, took me to my place where I changed my appearance and I returned as Mrs. Wren."
"But why, Ashley?" Daphne urged Ashley to continue.
"Daphne, the District Attorney needs to be told what I know. Paul and I have been trying to figure a way out of town without being seen. Paul is being watched in hopes he'll lead them to me."
"Is he outside now, my dear?" George Blake spoke up.
"Yes, we spent no little time to make sure we weren't followed, that's why we're so late."
"Have him come in, he needs to be here too. Sorry, Fred but I have an idea how we can get Ashley to the District Attorney to tell her story."
"I'll go," piped up Shaggy, "I need to take Scooby out anyway. Where is he parked?"
Ashley gave him directions and when he and Scooby were gone, George Blake continued.
"I need to make a phone call. I'm sorry, my dear but I'm afraid you'll have to suffer the indignity of being hidden on the back seat floor under a blanket again."
"How did you know, Mr. Blake? All officers have an extra set of keys, that is how I got away, I was under a blanket in officer Goodwin's cruiser."
"Elementary, my dear, Ashley," Mr. Blake laughed then called out, "Maxwell, we'll need the car." (1)
TBC
A/N: Sherlock Holmes never said "Elementary my dear Watson" in the Sherlock Holmes stories but did so repeatedly in the many movies.